US Tourist Visa Wait Times Soar: Indians May Face Up to 12 Months for Appointments

Indian travellers planning a trip to the United States may have to wait several months for a tourist visa appointment, with waiting periods approaching a year at some US consular posts.

The latest US Department of State Global Visa Wait Times data shows that Hyderabad has the longest queue among the five US consular posts in India for B1/B2 visitor visas. Applicants there are currently looking at a wait of around 12 months for the next available appointment.

The B1/B2 visa is generally issued to travellers visiting the US for tourism, family visits or short-term business purposes.

US Visa Wait Times in Hyderabad, Mumbai, Delhi and Other Cities

Mumbai has the second-longest wait, with the next available B1/B2 appointment listed at around 11.5 months.

Applicants in New Delhi face a wait of approximately 10 months, while Chennai has a waiting period of around 7.5 months.

Kolkata currently has the shortest B1/B2 appointment wait among the five Indian locations, at roughly 6.5 months.

These appointment timelines do not represent the entire visa process. Travellers also need to account for the interview and any subsequent processing before making firm travel arrangements.

Why Are Tourist Visa Appointments Taking So Long?

The extended wait for B1/B2 appointments stands in contrast to several other US nonimmigrant visa categories.

Student and exchange visitor applicants seeking F, M and J visas currently face considerably shorter waits. Appointments are available in less than half a month in Chennai, around 1.5 months in Hyderabad, about two months in Kolkata and New Delhi, and approximately 2.5 months in Mumbai.

The B1/B2 category caters to a much larger pool of applicants, including tourists, family visitors and short-term business travellers. Strong demand for these appointments can result in longer queues.

Is It Possible to Get an Earlier Appointment?

The appointment wait times published by the US State Department can change as consulates release additional appointment slots.

Applicants who have already scheduled an interview can continue checking the appointment system for earlier openings and may be able to reschedule, subject to the applicable rules and availability.

However, an earlier appointment is not guaranteed.

What This Means for US Travel Plans

For Indian travellers, the current waiting periods mean that the visa application should be considered well before the intended travel date.

Those planning holidays, family visits, weddings, road trips or other events in the US should build the visa timeline into their overall travel planning.

Travellers may also want to exercise caution before booking non-refundable flights or accommodation, as obtaining an appointment — and subsequently receiving the visa — is not guaranteed within a preferred timeframe.

With B1/B2 appointment waits extending to roughly 12 months at some Indian locations, prospective US visitors may need to begin the visa process significantly earlier than they otherwise would have.